classicsoncall Taking nothing away from Geoffrey Rush's inspired performance, I thought it curious that he won a Best Actor Oscar for his role considering he was only in the picture for the second half. Of the other contenders in the category that year, I thought Billy Bob Thornton ("Sling Blade") might have done a better job with a similar portrayal of a mentally challenged individual. The frustrating thing to see in the story is how David Helfgott's father (Armin Mueller-Stahl) couldn't or wouldn't understand that the overbearing attitude toward his son was causing him to retreat inward and become more and more anti-social. At least David (Rush) had the initial courage to break away from his family for all the right reasons to pursue his one true calling. As a child prodigy, David appeared to handle his defeats rather competently, but driven as his father was to keep him at home provided very little compassion and eventually led to his becoming an emotional cripple. Not knowing how much of the story was based on actual fact, it was encouraging to see how David managed to overcome his adversity and find some sense of consolation in returning to his music and finding love with Gillian (Lynn Redgrave). Or maybe it was the other way around, as Gillian showed more of a motherly instinct and understanding of the inwardly tormented pianist. As I say, Geoffrey Rush's performance was outstanding while he was in the picture, though it wouldn't hurt to give some recognition to the two fine young actors who portrayed him at an earlier age - Alex Rafalowicz as the young boy, and Noah Taylor as the adolescent david Helfgott. Both did a commendable job as well.

WubsTheFadger Short and Simple Review by WubsTheFadgerThe story is told masterfully and fluidly. The amount of stunning moments is astounding along with the powerful and heartfelt ending. The story is powerful and moving in a very inspired way. The "Fall or Break Down" sequence is astounding. Geoffrey Rush, Noah Taylor, and Armin Mueller Stahl all do outstanding jobs. Stahl portrays his character perfectly. Geoffrey Rush plays the part of a mentally broken down man in search for reassurance. Rush performs perfectly.The pacing in the beginning is a little slow but it is intended to build up the characters. The runtime is also a little bit long.Pros: Touching and powerful story, great ending, amazing acting, the break down sequence, and Geoffrey Rush's performanceCons: Some slow pacing and an overlong runtimeOverall Rating: 8.5

Alex Deleon Viewed at RIGA, Arsenals Forum IFF, September 20-28, 1998. SHINE (1996) written and directed by Scott Hicks stars Geoffrey Rush as an emotionally disturbed virtuoso pianist in Australia, freaked out by the impossible demands of a father who constantly abuses him with the memory of his own disturbed childhood in Europe and the loss of family in the concentration camps. The cruel father of the child prodigy pianist, passing on his genocide complex to the next generation, is heavyweight German actor, Armin Meuller-Stahl (b. 1930) who is in everything these days, and it ends with a rousing piano rendition of Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Flight of the Bumblebee" when the hero, after a long stint in an institution, recovers his senses to some extent ... The true story of David Helfgott (may God help him) -- very absorbing with tour-de-force performance by Mr. Rush. After this he'll be in everything! (And he was).Shine was one of the big films of the year and earned Rush the Academy award for for Best Actor plus a nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting role for Mueller-Stall. Also nominated for Best Picture and best Original Screenplay. It included the last screen appearance at age 82 of British born actress Googie Withers who was a big star way back in the thirties (for example, in Hitchcock's "The Lady Vanishes"). Another elder British giant, John Gielgud, had a cameo at age 94! -- and passed away in 2000. Aussie director Scott Hicks, not very well known outside of Australia, also made "Snow falling on Cedars", a 1999 drama with Ethan Hawke defending a wrongly accused Japanese American in a murder case during the wave of anti-Japanese prejudice in America following Pearl Harbor.

tomislav-cikic This is one of top 5 films I ever see. Story is very strong and performances are for 20. First time I watch this movie I just keep sitting after for 10 minutes and wonder... THIS IS ABSOLUTE MUST SEE MOVIE. Geoffrey Rush is brilliant and this part is how you say made for him. There is a thin line between genius and laugh but Geoffrey is made it. The best scene is David playing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #3 - Helfgott's own recording of the piece is used - and the aftermath. I do not prefer this kind of music - but after the movie I got myself humming Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #3.Geoffrey Rush got an Oscar for this performance